Uttrakhand Buddhist Conclave

Uttarakhand

This was for the first time that all the four groups of Khampa, Jad (Tsongsa Rongpa), Kinauri and Theravad Buddhist communities of Uttarakhand came together in large numbers from all across the State at Dunda, Uttarakhand Buddhist Conclave on 5th and 6th March 2021. It was discussed that after 1962 Chinese war, the villages of Jadung and Nelang inhabited by Jad Buddhist community were evacuated and all of them settled in Bogori village which is 70 km from Dunda Tehsil. This village has a Monastery and inhabited by Jad and Khampas and population of around 1500 people. The Village pradhan is Smti Sarita Rawat and former Pradhan Bhawan Singh Rana were present. The Geluk Gonpas was built by villagers and the Gonpas needs Lama to take care and manage the religious affairs for the village.

That, Buddhist religion teachings should be available in easy language other than Bhoti. That, the number of monks decreasing and so the parents should send one child for monk or Nun. That, Buddhist Gonas in Uttarakhand are in Bagoli Village, Dunda, Gowalden, Nainital, Haldwani gonpa was offered to Penor rinpoche but the Tibetan Govt in Exile says it was given to them, so it is not clear, Pithoragarh.

The conference was attended by 110 delegates and graced by all the eminent Khenpo, Nuns (Anis) and Lamas/monks from all traditions of Mahayana Buddhism and Social worker, Scholars and Laity from the border district of Pithoragarh, Chamoli and Uttarkashi of Uttrakhand.

The session on the formation of Board of Sangha and regional chapters and Block representatives was chaired by Sh. Govind Singh Khampa and Sh. Sher Singh Khampa. The session deliberated and finalized the nominations for the Board of Sangha and Regional chapters by unanimous decision of all the members.

The speaker told in detail the object of IHCNBT and the need for Indian National Sangha body and its work for the Himalayan region and also that its strategic importance for the country and national integration and nationalism.

From the Uttarakhand Buddhist Conclave it gave an opportunity for the people of Khampa, Tsongsa Rongpa, Jad, Kinnauri and Theravad tradition Buddhist to come together and interact on the issues and to work for preservation and development of Buddhist culture and tradition and to come together and deliberate on the issues and challenges facing the Himalayan region and culture and tradition.

The program ended with Prayer for World Peace and well being and followed by National